Public Saftey

Issue: Routine Stop Turns Deadly.

November 14, 2006

ISSUE — South Florida is reacting with outrage and grief today after the slaying of Broward Sheriff's Deputy Brian Tephford. The death of an officer sworn to protect the public is always a profound loss for South Florida.

Tephford, along with Deputy Corey Carbocci, was performing the mundane duty that cops will tell you is so dangerous -- the traffic stop, particularly at night, where an officer doesn't know what is waiting at the other side of the car window.

Which leads to one more reaction -- what if?

We don't know if a protective vest would have saved the life of the 34-year-old Tephford, who was struck twice outside Versailles Gardens condominiums in Tamarac. We do know that Tephford wasn't wearing a vest and that Carbocci, who was wearing a vest and survived, was shot four times. The vest very well may have saved his life.

BSO deputies must wear vests unless they sign a waiver, which Tephford did, although Sheriff Ken Jenne said he strongly recommends they be worn. For Palm Beach sheriff's deputies, the vests are voluntary but officers must have the vests with them even if they aren't worn. Policies vary across city police departments, but few make the vests mandatory.

Some officers undoubtedly think vests are uncomfortable and restrict movement. And there are no guarantees: two years ago, BSO detective Todd Fatta was wearing a vest when he was shot and killed after entering a house to make an arrest.

But there should be a stronger push to make the vests mandatory.

There is no such thing as a routine arrest in South Florida. Broward has already exceeded last year's homicide totals.

In that kind of atmosphere, street officers never know when they will have to put their life on the line. And the community depends on them.

Yes, the vests might be uncomfortable at times. But with the dangers faced by cops at almost any moment, there doesn't seem to be much reason not to wear them.